Fatherhood Program

Fatherhood Resources

Children are more likely to lead healthy, successful lives when both their mother and father are actively involved in their lives in positive ways. Father presence matters, and CDR supports fathers through its family-centered approach to services.

Specific grant and contract funds provide for programs listed here. For more information on any of CDR’s fatherhood programs, call 757-378-3177 or email us at fatherhood@cdr.org.

Resources

Family engagement is a cornerstone of CDR’s program. Engaging children’s fathers or other key male figures is essential for success.

To achieve engagement, a fatherhood consultant, himself a dad, works in partnership with a CDR family consultant to involve, educate, and empower fathers on how to be positive a force in their child’s life.

Many of the families enrolled in CDR are parented by single moms. The fatherhood consultant helps both mothers and fathers navigate the dynamics of their relationship so that the child benefits.

If the child’s father is not available, CDR staff work with the mother to help her identify a strong male role model to help meet the child’s needs.

Rookie Dads

CDR’s Rookie Dads program trains expectant dads to be involved in the care of their new baby. The free, two-hour class gives men a chance to gather with other men to talk about what to expect from their new role; discuss concerns; and learn about feeding, diapering, bathing, and sleeping techniques in a safe, supportive environment.
Classes are conducted by a CDR fatherhood consultant and a father mentor. Dads who attend the class receive a dad diaper bag filled with useful and educational items.

Child Development Resources has partnered with Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center and Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital, and Riverside Regional Medical Center both located in Newport News to offer this class. Please refer to the schedules below for specific locations, dates, times of classes, and registration details.

Sentara Regional Medical Center – Williamsburg
2018 Rookie Dads Class Schedule
Register online below or by calling CDR at 757-378-3177Interested in taking Part 2 of Rookie Dads? Part 2 is offered at Riverside Regional Medical Center. If you would like to register for Part 2, please call CDR at 757-378-3177

Rookie Dads Family Connections

Rookie Dads Family Connections is a special program for Rookie Dads graduates. It offers dad/child playgroups; developmental screenings; home visits; resources and information on behavior, potty training, and development; and dad discussion groups.

Parenting Smarter, not Harder

November 2, 2017 – Nurturing Parenting workshop for parents of James River Elementary School students – TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE or call 757-378-3177.

Linkages: Building Strong Connections

Linkages: Building Strong Connections provides weekly parenting education sessions, one-on-one coaching, and family support services for incarcerated fathers and their families. Incarcerated fathers, many of whom are eager to be involved as fathers, often face multiple barriers to involvement with their children. Linkages sessions address parenting topics such as child growth and development, positive discipline, communication, and co-parenting. The program is operated in collaboration with Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Family Focus program and the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail.

Funding

Rookie Dads and Rookie Dads Family Connections are funded by the Virginia Department of Social Services’ Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Program.

A resource room especially for fathers is open during office hours at our Norge headquarters for all enrolled fathers.